SOUtilities · Utilities - Regulated ElectricThe 24 Wall Street analysts covering The Southern Co. hold a median 12-month price target of $102 — +9.4% from the last close. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model, run across ~4,600 US stocks, ranks it 40 of 100 as at 15 Aug 2026 — in the lower half.
Consensus tells you what everyone already believes. The model scores The Southern Co. on its factor families — the same systematic rank behind the Ticker Nerd portfolio.
Percentile across ~4,600 US stocks on Ticker Nerd’s systematic factor model. Higher is better. How the model is built and tested
Volatility (94): The share price has been relatively steady.
Issuance (27): The company has been issuing shares or taking on financing, diluting existing holders.
Size (3): Larger than most of the companies we track — more scrutinised, less often mispriced.
Built and run by Aslam Ghouse, an ex-Goldman Sachs quant trader with fourteen years in markets.
The bullish and bearish analyst opinions on SO, reported as data — targets and ratings, the market's view beside the model's.
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
The green dot is the last close — the median target sits +9.4% from it.
Of the 20 most recent actions, 2 moved their price target up and 2 moved it down.
| Date | Firm | Action | Rating | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 July 2026 | BMO Capital | Maintains | Outperform | $102 → $104 |
| 23 July 2026 | Keybanc | Downgrade | Underweight | $79 |
| 22 July 2026 | BMO Capital | Maintains | Outperform | $105 → $102 |
| 16 July 2026 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Neutral | — |
| 16 July 2026 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Neutral | $101 → $104 |
| 18 June 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Equal-Weight | $99 → $98 |
| 18 June 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 29 May 2026 | Truist Securities | Maintains | Hold | — |
| 21 Apr 2026 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 21 Apr 2026 | Truist Securities | Initiates | Hold | — |
| 20 Apr 2026 | Seaport Global | Downgrade | Neutral | — |
| 10 Apr 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 6 Mar 2026 | TD Cowen | Maintains | Buy | — |
| 5 Mar 2026 | Evercore ISI Group | Upgrade | Outperform | — |
| 4 Mar 2026 | Keybanc | Upgrade | Sector Weight | — |
| 20 Feb 2026 | Mizuho | Upgrade | Outperform | — |
| 20 Feb 2026 | Scotiabank | Maintains | Sector Perform | — |
| 20 Feb 2026 | Wells Fargo | Upgrade | Equal-Weight | — |
| 20 Jan 2026 | Wells Fargo | Downgrade | Underweight | — |
| 15 Jan 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Computed off the Friday close and sent before the US open.
Market Radar reports the week’s largest rank changes across roughly 4,600 US stocks, the factor behind each one, and where the market went. SO appears on the weeks it earns a place.
Not the forecast itself — the direction analysts are revising it. Revision direction is one of the model's factor families.
A margin means little on its own. Each bar marks where the figure sits across the whole US universe we score.
Cheaper than 35% of US stocks
Cheaper than 36% of US stocks
Cheaper than 38% of US stocks
Cheaper than 30% of US stocks
Higher than 28% of US stocks
Higher than 68% of US stocks
Higher than 64% of US stocks
Higher than 87% of US stocks
Higher than 78% of US stocks
Higher than 67% of US stocks
Higher than 67% of US stocks
Higher than 70% of US dividend payers
Bars mark the percentile across the ~4,600 US stocks Ticker Nerd covers, among those reporting the figure.
The nearest names by industry and size, scored by the same model — like for like.
Look up any of the roughly 4,600 stocks we score.
The rank is the raw material. Whether the rules would actually own The Southern Co. — and when they’d sell — is the membership. See the Ticker Nerd 20 →
A Zacks Investment Research article highlights that surging power demand from rapid AI buildout presents a major growth opportunity for utilities, and recommends ETFs like IDU for diversified exposure to the trend.
Why it matters — Southern Co. (SO), as a major utility, stands to benefit from the increased electricity demand driven by AI-related data-center expansion.
Southern Company was upgraded to Buy, reflecting improved fundamentals and an attractive valuation. The company is targeting 9% annual rate base growth through 2030, supported by over $80 billion in capital expenditures and regulatory approvals, with allowed returns on equity averaging 11% and reaching up to 14.5% in key markets.
Why it matters — The upgrade highlights Southern Company's strong growth outlook, underpinned by robust rate base expansion and favorable allowed returns in its regulated markets.
Seeking Alpha reports that Southern Company and Duke Energy posted healthy earnings with double-digit percent increases in adjusted earnings for 2026, reaffirmed their 2026 outlook, and noted long-term prospects remain good, though both stocks are fairly valued in the short term.
Why it matters — A Southern Company watcher would care because the article highlights double-digit earnings growth, reaffirmed guidance, and suggests SO has greater longer-term price upside potential compared to Duke Energy.
Georgia Power, part of The Southern Co., is observing August as Generation Appreciation Month, recognizing its more than 1,100 power generation employees who work around the clock to operate, maintain and support a diverse fleet of energy resources during peak summer demand. The company emphasized its commitment to keeping power flowing to millions of homes and businesses through the hottest days of the year.
Why it matters — For Southern Co. watchers, this highlights the operational focus and workforce dedication behind reliable electricity delivery during periods of peak demand, which underpins the company's core utility service.
Southern Co. (SO) beat Q2 earnings estimates on customer growth, as data center demand rose 55%, although revenues missed. Management now expects full-year earnings near the top of its guidance range.
Why it matters — For Southern Co. watchers, the earnings beat, surging data-center demand, and an improved full-year outlook signal stronger growth in the company's customer base.
The 24 Wall Street analysts covering The Southern Co. have a median 12-month price target of $102, with estimates ranging from $79 to $114. These are third-party analyst estimates, not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Of the 24 analysts covering The Southern Co., 7 rate it a Buy, 14 a Hold and 3 a Sell. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model ranks The Southern Co. 40 out of 100 across roughly 4,600 US stocks as at 15 Aug 2026. None of this is personal advice — it does not consider your circumstances.
As at 15 Aug 2026, The Southern Co. ranks 40 out of 100 on Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model — a percentile across roughly 4,600 US stocks, built from its factor families. Its strongest factor family is Volatility (94 of 100).
No one can know that. What the data says: the median 12-month target from 24 analysts implies +9.4% from the last close, and Ticker Nerd's factor model ranks The Southern Co. 40 out of 100 as at 15 Aug 2026. Analyst targets are third-party estimates and frequently wrong; none of this is personal advice.
No analyst covering The Southern Co. publishes a 2030 price target — Wall Street targets run 12 to 18 months out. Sites quoting a 2030 price for SO are extrapolating price history, which says nothing about the business. The furthest attributed numbers are the current analyst targets: $79 to $114 over the next 12 months.
The Southern Co. returned +1.7% over the 12 months to 14 Aug 2026, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not indicate future returns.
The Southern Company is a leading U.S. energy holding company that focuses on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas.
The most recent item we track (Zacks Investment Research, 14 Aug 2026): "Utility ETFs to Buy as Rapid AI Buildout Sparks Energy Crisis". A Zacks Investment Research article highlights that surging power demand from rapid AI buildout presents a major growth opportunity for utilities, and recommends ETFs like IDU for diversified exposure to the trend.
The Southern Company is a leading U.S. energy holding company that focuses on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, it operates through vertically integrated electric utilities, a wholesale energy business, and regulated natural gas distribution utilities. The company serves residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers across multiple states, providing power through a diverse mix of energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, coal, and renewables such as solar and wind. Southern Company’s regulated utilities manage extensive transmission and distribution networks, ensuring reliable delivery of energy to end users. Its wholesale subsidiary develops and owns generation assets and sells electricity primarily under long-term contracts, supporting grid stability and regional energy needs. The natural gas segment handles distribution, storage, and related services for retail customers. Within the utilities sector, Southern Company plays a significant role in maintaining essential energy infrastructure and supporting economic activity in the regions it serves. Founded in 1945, it remains a central participant in the U.S. regulated utilities market.
CEO Mr. Christopher C. Womack · 29,502 employees · United States · https://www.southerncompany.com